Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to maintain its social rented property and supervise its tenants. We cannot investigate the actions of a social housing landlord because they are outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

The complaint

1. Mr X says his garden is affected by the untidy garden of his neighbours who are tenants of the Council. He says the property is poorly maintained and the front fence is decayed and allows weeds to spread.

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The Ombudsman’s role and powers

2. We cannot investigate complaints about the provision or management of social housing by a council acting as a registered social housing provider. (Local Government Act 1974, paragraph 5A schedule 5, as amended)

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How I considered this complaint

3. I considered information provided by the complainant.
4. I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.

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My assessment

5. Mr X wants the Council landlord to enforce its tenancy conditions on his neighbours who have an untidy garden. He says weeds are affecting his garden and the front fence is rotten which makes the problem worse.
6. Since 2013 we cannot investigate complaints about social housing landlords. The neighbouring property is managed by a social landlord and the matter is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

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Final decision

7. We will not investigate this complaint about the Council’s failure to maintain its social rented property and supervise its tenants. We cannot investigate the actions of a social housing landlord because they are outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

Investigator’s decision on behalf of the Ombudsman

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Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman